Christian Reflection and Prayer

Scripture

Read Luke 19:39-44.
TEXT: And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said
to Him, "Teacher, rebuke Your disciples." He
answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the very
stones would cry out" (Luke 19:39-40).

Jesus enters Jerusalem with a large crowd joyfully
singing His praises. Some Pharisees come out of
Jerusalem and urge Jesus to silence His supporters.
But Jesus refuses; this King will have His rightful praise.
Even if the people remain silent, the stones themselves
will cry out.

In a few days the Pharisees will have their way. These
praises will fall silent as the crowds begin shouting,
"Crucify, crucify Him!" Reaching the ridge of Jerusalem
Jesus begins sobbing. If only the city realized how easily
it could escape disaster. All its citizens have to do is
turn from their wrongs and trust in Jesus. Woefully, that
great peace is hidden from their eyes.

Jesus' tears flow because His all-knowing eyes see what
will happen here in 40 years. He sees the Roman legions
arriving, encircling the city, and cutting down the trees to
build their siege weapons. He sees violence and disease
breaking out through the doomed city. He sees starvation
and plague ravaging those who remain. He sees the
Romans breaking through the city walls and savagely
attacking the last defenders at the temple walls. He sees
the temple in flames and the defenders being slaughtered,
as they turn from their Roman attackers in a
desperate attempt to extinguish the fires. He sees the
temple reduced to rubble, with not one stone left upon another.
And He weeps bitterly because all this is so needless. If
only they would recognize God graciously visiting them
through His Son.

THE PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, Your heart broke at the senseless devastation
Jerusalem would suffer because of its foolish unbelief. Guard
my heart and mind against unbelief, so I may live with You
in heaven, and not suffer eternally in hell. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

Scripture:

Read Luke 19:28-38.
TEXT: The whole multitude of His disciples
began to rejoice and praise God with a loud
voice for all the mighty works that they had
seen (see Luke 19:37).


Jesus has travelled to Jerusalem many times
in His life, but this trip will be the last time.
Every other time He walked through its gates,
but not this time. Today He rides into the city
as Jerusalem's King, its Messiah. But the
King of kings does not ride a splendid war
horse; instead, He sends His disciples to
bring Him a humble donkey, a lowly beast of
burden. This animal fits Jesus' entire earthly
life. He came as the meek, humble Baby
born in Bethlehem's manger; He will lay down
His life in humility on the cross.

The crowds are caught up in excitement. They
shout "Blessed is the King who comes in the
Name of the Lord." The term "blessed" points
to the Father, who chose this King and
continues to bless Him. Even though He rides
a humble donkey, Jesus enters Jerusalem as
our King, coming to conquer our great enemies-
Satan, sin, death and hell.

The crowds add "peace in heaven and glory in
the highest." These are the same words the
angels shared with the shepherds at Jesus' birth.
Peace in heaven celebrates God's peace coming
down upon the earth through the Messiah. His
victory brings praise to God from His angels in
heaven and from all of us who have been saved
by His mighty Son.

Jesus accepts this praise sweeping through the
crowds because it is right and true. He is the
King riding into Jerusalem to prepare to fight to
the death to defend His people. In a few days He
will stagger out through the city gates, carrying
His cross to the battlefield.

THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, our great conquering
King, You rode into Jerusalem to wage war for
Your people. Receive my thanksgiving for the
victory You won through Your suffering, death
and resurrection. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

NOT YET - BUT SOON

Scripture:

Read Luke 19:11-27.
TEXT: "But his citizens hated him and sent a
delegation after him, saying, 'We do not want
this man to reign over us'" (Luke 19:14).

Jesus' choice to stay with the chief tax collector
Zacchaeus divides the crowd. Some are upset
Jesus is associating with such an open sinner.
Others think God's Kingdom will appear at once
when He reaches the Jewish capital Jerusalem.
Jesus tells a parable that answers both ideas.

The people have no trouble picturing His story of
a nobleman traveling to a distant country to have
himself proclaimed king. That was the way the
Roman Empire worked. Herod the Great left the
land of Palestine and travelled to Rome before
Emperor Augustus proclaimed him king. Only
then could he return to rule.

Jesus pictures Himself as that nobleman-the
great Son of David and Son of God. Instead of
beginning His reign when He enters Jerusalem,
He will be murdered by His enemies. But after
His resurrection He will leave the earth, ascending
into heaven where the Father will proclaim Him
King. Then on the Last Day-and not until that
moment-Jesus will return to reward His faithful
servants and establish His Kingdom on the new
earth.

Now Jesus turns to His enemies. He has shown
great patience, humility, grace, mercy and love
toward them, but they have hated Him without
cause. He warns that the time of judgment is
coming. He will return with His angel armies to
capture His enemies and slaughter them.

To our ears that judgment sounds harsh. But Christ
your King has given you fair warning. If you will not
bow your knee to Him in faith, you will forfeit your
life and suffer eternally in hell.

THE PRAYER:

Almighty God, You have established Your Son as
the Ruler of all things in heaven and on earth. Break
through my rebellious heart that I may love Him and
serve Him now and through all eternity. I pray in
Jesus' Name. Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministires)